Theme Thursday: Lights

One of my favorite things about Advent and Christmas is the lights.  Lying on the floor under the Christmas tree watching the lights and the shadows they cast, driving around the neighborhood looking at Christmas lights, candles (okay, that's a year-round thing with me), etc.  In fact, tonight I really wanted to bundle us all up and hop in the van for a neighborhood Christmas lights tour.  I would have, too, if it were above zero.  Instead, I'm enjoying the virtual our over at Clan Donaldson tonight!

Alex got me this statue of the Holy Family for Christmas last year, and the infinity candle was a gift from my mother-in-law a couple years ago.  Obviously, great taste in gifts runs in that family (lucky me!).  Please ignore the fingerprints and dust on the glass--was not expecting the camera to pick that up.

So, that's it!  Happy Thursday of the first week of Advent, and head over to Clan Donaldson to look at the lights!

Quick, before it's too late...

Winter is rolling down from the mountains.  According to the local news, we hit a high of 54 (pretty typical for the gorgeous fall with which we've been spoiled) around 11:30, and the temperature has been plummeting ever since.  Depending on whom you ask, we're expecting anywhere from 3 to 24 inches of snow in the next 24 hours.  In addition to that, we're looking for highs (yes, highs) in the low teens through the weekend.  I'm chilled just thinking about it.

So, before winter descends in all its frigidness (frigidity?), here are some last glimpses of our glorious fall.

I don't think Michael is ever happier than when he is "helping" Daddy around the house or yard--be it mowing the lawn, hammering nails, raking leaves, grilling dinner, etc.